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national service noun

Click to hear the UK pronunciation of this word n [U] UK

Definition

the system by which young people, especially men, are ordered by law to spend a period of time in the armed forces
In some countries, everyone does two years' national service after leaving school.
In Britain, national service was abolished in 1962.

(Definition of national service noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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